The Legal Program handles cases that involve infringements upon constitutional rights and civil liberties. We represent individuals or classes of individuals whose cases will either serve to create new precedent or will result in general system-wide reform in favor of protecting and defending civil liberties.
In other situations, we may not file a lawsuit, but may write letters calling for changes or reforms.
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Nov 19, 2009
Bethany Cajune v. Lake County
Reproductive Freedom
Status: Victory!
Bethany Cajune was about five months pregnant when she was incarcerated in the Lake County Jail for traffic violations. She had been undergoing treatment for addiction to painkillers, but the jailers denied...
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Apr 10, 2009
Knows His Gun v. Crossroads Correctional Center
Jails and Prisons
The ACLU brought a human rights complaint in April 2009 against the state of Montana, Crossroads Correctional Center and Corrections Corporation of American on behalf of Native American inmates at the...
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Mar 22, 2009
Kulstad v. Maniaci
LGBTQ Rights
Status: Victory!
Barbara Maniaci and Michelle Kulstad were in a committed long-term relationship for approximately 10 years. During that time they built a home together and raised together two children that Maniaci adopted...
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Apr 8, 2008
Kelly v. McCulloch
Free Speech
This voting rights case is based upon First Amendment rights to speak through being able to run for office without undue burdens imposed by the State and to associate through being able to vote for the...
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Oct 1, 2007
State v. Nelson
Criminal Legal Reform
In November 2007, the ACLU of Montana and a medical marijuana advocacy group, Patients and Families United, filed an amicus in this case before the Montana Supreme Court. We claimed that a probationary...
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May 3, 2007
Brandborg et alia v. Dave Bull and US Forest Service
Free Speech
Co-operating Attorney, Kim Wilson, from Reynolds, Motl and Sherwood of Helena, and Betsy Griffing represented Plaintiffs on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, claiming that the Plaintiffs had...